Arc lamp.



W. S. WEEDON.

Patented July 6, 1909.

, Inventor; William S.Weedon,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM S. WEEDO'N OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ARC-LAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' 4 Patented July 6, 1909.

Application fi1ed.Iune.13, 1904, Serial No. 212,231. Renewed April 7, 1906. Serial No. 310 476.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, WILLIAM S. WEEnoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Are- Lamps, of which the following is a specific ation.

-. with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of my invention, however, reference may be had to-the'accompanying drawings in which I have shown somewhat diagrammatically one embodiment of .my invention.

Of thedrawings, Figure 1 1s an elevation partly in diagram and with parts broken away and in section, of a portion of an arc lamp-equipped with my invention; Fig; 2 is a sectional elevation taken at right angles to Fig. 1 and showing a part only of the mechanism' shown by Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a'view taken similarly to Fig. 1 showing a portion only of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 and a different' condition of the lamp; and Fig. 4 is a view taken at right angles to Fig. 3 showing a portion of the mechanism in Fig. 4 in the condition of the lamp shown in Fig. 3.

My invention may be advantageously emplo ed in connection with a lamp of the generaf character shown and described in an aplication for patent on are lamps, filed jointly by Richard Fleming and Cromwell A. B. Halvorson, Jr., on the 16th day of November, 1903, the serial number of which is 181,332, though my invention in all of its features is not limited to use in connection with any particular'fo'rm of lamp.

The mechanism shown in Fig, 1 ,is substantially the same as that shown in the a lication abovenoted except as it is mo ified by the employment of my present invention.

Referring .to the drawings, 1 represents a platform forming a par'tof the frame work of the lamp. A conical member 2 forming a art of'thedraft tube orchimney of the amp has its vup er and smaller end secured to but insulated from the under side of the platform 1 in any suitable manner. Atu'buar chimney member 3 in line and in open communication with the conical member 2 extends upward from the platform 1.

A tubular electrode holder 4 is pivotally connected to the tubular member 3 by trunnions- 5 turning in bushing 5 of insulating material. The lower end of the holder 4 carries a platform 6-. An arm 7 pivoted to the platform 6 extends through an aperture formed for the purpose in the member 2. A washer clutch 8 has a link member 9 ivotedto its side. The other end of the lin member 9 is pivoted to a bracket 10 depending from the under side, of the platform 6. The lower end of the upper-electrode 1 1 of the lamp projects out of the holder 4 through the yokeof the clutch 8, being normally held locked to the holder 4 by the clutch 8, as shown in Fig. 1. The electrode 11 may be formed of any suitablematerial, as carbon.

An extension 12 secured to the platform 6 has pivotally secured to it a shaft 12' which supports a block 13 of suitable con ducting material, such as carbon. The block 13-, which forms an auxiliary electrode of the lamp, appears substantially L-shaped when viewed end on, as in Fig. 4. The under surface of the upper portion or leg 14 of the block 13 .-;is substantially cylindrical about the-pivotal axis of the holder 4. The portion or leg 15 of the block 1'3 is under-cut at 1 6 as shown in Fig. 3. An extension 1.6 of the clutch member 8-extends over the portion 14 of the block 13. A block 17 of carbon may be secured to the under side of the extension 16, as shown. When the block 13 is oscillated about its axis in a manner hereinafter described the upper side of portion 14 eng yes the block 17 and moves the clutch member 8 to cause it to release the electrode 11.

A bracket 18 secured to but insulated from the under side of the platform 1 supports 'a pivotally-mounted bell-crank lever 19. One arm of the bell-crank lever is pivotally connected to the arm 7. The other and shorter arm. of the bell-crank lever is winding 22, is mounted above the platform 1. The connection between the upper link 20 and armature 21 is such that the link and armature are insulated from each other. To the under side of the armature 21'is secured one end of a pawl 23 of a clutch 23, the yoke of which surrounds a vertical tubular member 24. A dash-pot 21 is employed to retard the downward movement of the armature 21. The member 24 which slides upon a suitably-supported guide rod 25 carries at its lower end an arm 26 at the outer end of which is formed a socket in which the lower electrode 27 of the lamp is held in line withtitanium carbid it should preferably be coated with metal such as copper. When .the winding 22 is energized in a manner hereinafter described,- the armature 21 will be raised and the clutch 23 will engage the member 24 and raise the electrode 27. At the same time the bell-crank lever 19 will be oscillated and the holder 4 will be swung about its pivotal axis until the block 13 is moved into line with the electrode 27. When the electrode 27 engages the portion 14 of the block 13 the block will be turned about its pivotal axis and the portion 15 of the block 13 will engage the electrode 27 some distance below its arcing end. As the block 13 turns about its axis the portion 14 will engage theblock 17 and cause the clutch 8 to release the electrode 11 which will thereupon drop into engagement with a stop 28 carried for the purpose by the member 2.

When the clutch 23 is in the position shown in Fig. 1 its yoke rests upon the upper surface of stop 29 adjustably mounted on a rod 30 extending upward from the platform 1. Under these circumstances the member.

24 is free to move through the clutch 23.

,The pawl 31 of a clutch 32 is normally held in engagement with the member 24 by the act on ofthe spring 33,. the lower end of which is secured to the outer end of the pawl 31 and the upper end of which is secured to a cross-bar 34 which connects the rods 25 and 30. 1

VVhen-the member 24 is raised as heretofore described, the clutch 32 will move upward with it until the pawl 31 strikes the lower surface of the stop 29 after which the member 24 will move through the yoke of the clutch 32. In the position shown in Fig. 1 the pawl 31 rests against the upper side of a stop 35 also adjustably secured to the rod 29..'

In this position of the pawl 31 the member 24 etween the pawl and the yoke of the clutch 32 and is thereby prevented from moving downward.

The circuit arrangements of the lamp and is denergized the contact 43 is in engagement with the contact member 48, and when the electromagnet is energized the contacts 43 and 48 are separated. The contact member 48 is connected by a conductor 49 to one terminal of a resistance conductor 50, the other end of which is connected to the terminal 41. A conductor 51 connects one terminal of voltage coil 52 with the line 49, the other terminal of the voltage coil 52 being connected to the conductor 44. A conductor 53 connects thelamp terminal 41 with one end of the winding of the electromagnet 47. The other end of the winding of the electromagnet 47 is in electrical connection with the member 2 and thereby with the holder 4, electrode 11. and block 13. A pivoted armature 54'co6perating' with the core of the voltage coil 52 carries a contact 55 "which is normally separated from but is nected together by a flexible conductor 59.

The out-of-service as well as the normal running condition of the lamp is shown in Fig. 1. When the lamp terminals are connected to a suitable source current will be gin to flow between the terminals 40 and 41., through the winding 22, conductor 44, contacts 43 and 48, conductor 49 and resistance conductor 50. The passage of current through the winding 22 will cause the armature 21 to be raised. This will move the electrode 27 into contact with the under side of the ortion 14 of the block 13 which will then he oscillated into the position shown in Fig. 3. g

The parts-are usually so constructed that the electrode 27 will clear the portion 15 of the block 13 as it moves upward. When the upper end of the electrode 27 enga es the under side of the portion 14 of the b ock 13 the block 13 will be tilted and the lower end .of the portion-15 will be -forced against the trode 11 will be oscillated into line with the stop 28. As soon as the tilting ofthe block 13 causes the clutch 8 to release the electrode 1.1 the electrode will drop into engagement with the stop 28.

lmmediately'upon the engagem nt of theelectrode 27 and block 13 current will begin to flow between the block and the electrode through a circuit which includes the conductor 42, electrode 27, block 13, winding of the electromagnet 47 and conductor 53. Passage; of current through the winding of the electromagnet- 47 will cause the armature 45 to-be oscillated and thereby separate the contacts 43 and 48. When thie occurs the winding 22 will no longer be operatively energized and the electrode 27 will begin to descend and the holder 4 and parts carried thereby will start back to the position shown in Fig. 1.

As the block 13 and the electrode 27' separate an arc will usually be drawn betweenthe portion 15 and the side of the electrode which will first be transferred from the portion. 15 to the portion 14 of the block 13iand thence to electrode 11 as the movement of separation continues. The heat produced by the arc will soon cause the end of the electrode 27 to become conducting, after which the arcwill extend from the end of the electrode. In some cases sufii ciently good contact may be established between the ends of the electrode 27' and the portion 14 to cause the arc to be formed initially between them. The downward movement of the electrode 27 and thereby the arc length will be limited\ by the engagement of the pawl 31 with the- S1201) As the electrode 27 starts downward the block 13-will turnabout its own axis and the clutch will engage the electrode 11 as its end moves off the stop-28. Asclearly shown in Fig. I in the normal position of the parts the distance between the-end of the electrodes 11 and 27 is considerably less than the distance between the ends of the electrode 27 and the block 13, and in the feeding operation of the lamp the upper end of the are readily jum s from the block 13 tothe electrode 11.- T e transfer of the arc is facilitated ap arently by the-upward draft tending to hol' the arc vertical produced by the heat of the arc. The transfer of the arc is also facilitated by the use of the block 17 of carbon The'voltage coil 52 is so proportioned that with the ordinary arc length the current passing through its windings will be insufiicient to cause the armature 54 to be attracted. When, however, the voltage of the' a'rc increases to a predetermined maximum -the current passing through the winding 52 will' cause the armature 54' to-be attracted and thereby bring the contact 56 into engagement with the contact 55. This throws a low resistance shunt, which comprises the any desired amount ,of pressure.

the block 13 when they move together.

conductor 57, contacts 55 and 56 and con.-

ductor 58, about the winding of the electromagnet 47 whereupon the electromagnet will be denergized and the contact member 43 will move into engagement with the member 48- and close the circuit through the winding 22. moved into engagement with the under side of the portion 14 of the block 13 after which the arc will again be struck in a manner hereinbefore described. The feedin operationwill be repeated whenever the v0 tage of. thearc rises above a redetermined maximum.

It will be rea ily understood that when. each feeding action takesplace the clutch. 32 will move with the tubular rnember24 until the pawl 31 strikes the under side of the stop. 29 after which the member 24 will be moved The electrode 27 will then again be through the yoke of the pawl 32 an amount equal to-the length of the electrode 27 consumed since the previous feeding operation.

Since at each feeding operation of the lampthe electrode 11 moves downward. in its holder until its lower end engages the stop- 28, the length of the arc struck after each feeding operation is fixed and the arc itself extends between the same pair of horizontal lanes after each feeding operation.

V-Vith the construction employed it will be observed that the lower edge of the block 13 is positively forced against the side of the electrode 27 with a pressure roportionateto the lifting action of the win ing 22 of the armature 21. This can be adjusted to; obtain As the block 1.3 can be made quite massive and as theai c extends from it only for a short time during each interval; its consumption willbe very slow. With theconstruction employed, however, renewal of the block can take place whenever necessary. As the under surface of theportion 14 of the block 13 is substantially cylindrical about the'pivotal axis of the holder 4 there is no-tendency to a wedging or looking action between the electrode 27 123.51

1s arrangement of the 'under surface 14 also insures an arc length after each feeding operation of constant length regardless of the consumption of the lower electrode since the preceding feeding operation.

When the negative electrode of. the lamp-is formed of material like titaniumcarbid there is a tendency to a deposit of slaggingmaterial on the lower end. of theupper electrode transferred from the lower electrodeby the arc. To avoid any in'urious conse u'ence from this tendency the electrode shoulr be so proportioned that the up er electrode will be consumedrapi'dly 'enoug to prevent the accumulation of the slagging material upon its arcing end. When the electrodes are ofsub- T stantially equal diameter and the lower electrode is formed of titanium carbid and the upper electrode -is formed of carbon this result is obtained. The use of electrodes of the character specified gives a steady and efficient flaming or luminous arc.

The particular lam which I have hereinbefore illustrated an described in detail is intended for operation in a direct constant current system, the lower electrode being the ne ative. It is obvious, however, to all those skilled in the art that my invention may be employed in a lamp for use on a constant 0- tential circuit or that it may be employe in an alternating-current system.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,

1. In an arc lamp, a pair of 006 erating electrodes normally in line with eac 1 other, and means for oscillating one of said electrodes out of line with the other and for moving the other electrode toward the first electrode in a feeding operation of the lamp.

2. In an arc lamp, the combination of an electrode restricted to movement in the line of its axis, a second electrode normally in axial alinement with the first, a stop out of alinement with the electrodes, and means for moving the second electrode into line with the stop.

3. In an arc lamp, two electrodes normally in axial alinement, a stop out of alinement with the electrodes, means for moving one of the electrodes into line with the stop, and means for releasingsaid electrode to move into contact with the stop.

4. In an arc lamp, two electrodes normally in axial alinement, a stop normally out of alinement with the electrodes, and means for moving one of said electrodes into line with said stop and means for thereafter allowing it to drop into engagement with the same in a feeding operation of the lamp.

5. In an arc lamp, an electrode holder, a main electrode normall held in fixed relation therewith by a cliitc'h mechanism, a movable auxiliary electrode in cooperative relation with said clutch mechanism, a stop, a second main electrode, and means for moving the second main electrode into engage-- ment with the auxiliary electrode to move the latter and thereby cause the clutch mechanism to release the first-mentioned main electrode and allow it to move into engagement with said stop.

6. In an arc lam a draft tube, an electrode holder pivotaIly mounted therein, an electrode carried by said holder, and normally held in line with the axis of said tube,

a sto out of line with the axis of said tube, a clutc carried by the holder normally engaging said electrode, a movable auxiliary electrode carried by the holder in such manner that its movement will cause the clutch to release the first-mentioned electrode, a third electrode, and means for oscillating said holder to move the first-mentioned electrode into line with the stop and for bringing about an engagement between the third electrode and the auxiliary electrode which will cause a movement of the auxiliary electrode to release the first-mentioned electrode and allow it to drop into engagement with said stop.

7. In an arc lamp, a holder, a stop, a main electrode normally locked to the holder and held out of line with the sto an auxiliary electrode carried by the ho der, a second main electrode, means for moving the second main electrode into engagement with the auxiliary electrode and for moving the firstmentioned electrode into line with the stop, and means actuated by the engagement between the second main electrode and the auxiliary electrode for releasing the firstmentioned main electrode from the holder whereby the first-mentioned electrode may drop into engagement with the stop.

8. In an arc lamp, a, main electrode, a second main electrode normally in line with the first-mentioned electrode, a cooperating electrode normally out of line with the firstmentioned electrode, means for movin each main electrode in the direction of its ength to compensate for its consumption, and means for moving the second mam electrode out of line and the cooperating electrode into line with the first-mentioned electrode in a feeding operation of the lamp.

9. In an arc lamp, an electrode, mechanism normally reventing a movement of the electrode in t c direction of its length, a stop out of the normal line of the axis of said electrode, intermittently actuated means for changing the relative positions of the electrode and stop to bring them into alinement, and means for thereafter actuating said mechanism to permit said electrode to move in the direction of its length into engagement with said stop.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 28th da of May, 1904.

W LLIAM S. WEEDON.

Witnesses: i

G. O. HOLLISTER, HELEN (human. 

